LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 14, 2009

TO:	Honorable Byron Cook, Chair, House Committee on Environmental Regulation
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB4346 by Chisum (relating to "no regrets" greenhouse gas emissions reductions strategies.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would require the Comptroller of Public Accounts to prepare a report to the Legislature identifying emission reduction strategies for greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride) in Texas no later than December 31, 2010. The strategies put forth would aim to result in net savings for consumers or businesses; be achieved without financial cost to businesses or consumers; or help businesses maintain global competitiveness.

The Comptroller would appoint one or more advisory committees to assist in identifying and evaluating greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies, with at least one representative from each of the following entities: the Texas Railroad Commission, the General Land Office, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the Texas Department of Agriculture, and a Texas Institution of Higher Education. The Comptroller would be authorized to enter into an interagency agreement with TCEQ or another state agency for technical advice or assistance.

Any costs to the Comptroller or other state agencies in assisting with the preparation of the greenhouse gas report are not anticipated to be significant.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 582 Commission on Environmental Quality

LBB Staff:

JOB, SZ, TL